Dear Leo,

Boys like you complain about not getting past the friend zone. That such a thing is the reason why I will forever be single. How dare you assume friend zoning is bad. 

Don't you see the benefit? When done right, you spend more time with me then if you were not. At least under that label you've gotten through my first barrier. At least now I'm comfortable around you. Don't all relationships only strengthen the more time you spend with one another? 

Don't we touch more often under the friend zone then when we're not? Tugging your arm away from others, running around in the halls on piggyback, ruffling through your hair when I call you stupid for mixing up Marvel comics with DC... I don't do that for just anybody.

But for you, I'll do almost anything and I think you know that too. Just not consciously like I do.

You know, you're as stupid as the rest of those boys, thinking that because what we had was so great it could only get better with you kissing me and gaining the title of boyfriend. I knew you only did it because the rest of your friends were getting girlfriends. I must have seemed like an easy target for you, already so close, and you knew all my secrets.

So no, I do not apologize for "placing you in the friend zone". Honestly, you should be apologizing for almost ruining what we had. So, stop being a pussy and grow up, you placed me there first, I've just adapted.

While you moaned about, watching your friends talk about their cheap dates to the movie theater, or sitting in their gross basement making out on the coach, we went on late night McDonald's runs when our parents thought we were asleep. We made pillow forts so that we could watch Netflix together. Remember that time I had a mental breakdown over the PSAT and you came running over with chocolate cookies? Of course, you do. We both got sick that night from eating too many cookies. I didn't even know you could get sick off chocolate. You didn't either which made it that much better when both of us were on our backs howling over stomach aches. It's so much better complaining together about how fat we both are.

You make me happy without the romance and I know I do the same to you. So, when I'm ready to take the next step, I know I'll run up to you. I know I'll choose you. I just hope you understand that at least for me, the friend zone with you is my safety net for dating. Our dates are far better than others thanks to the friend zone and when we do end up dating, I expect our dates to be the same as they are now. Playful, fun and full of adventure.

Just please give me the time to get there.

Ever yours,

Sophie